Presented By

Presenting Sponsors:

Laura Murphy

Laura Murphy

Director, Washington Legislative Office

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

confirmed

Laura W. Murphy is in her second tenure as director of the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office. Since returning she has immersed herself in national security, criminal justice, human rights, privacy, civil rights and First Amendment issues. She played a leadership role in the passage of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, reducing the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine and begins to address some of the racial disparities in the criminal justice system. She has met with leaders in the United States Congress and the Obama Administration to advance the ACLU’s public policy priorities on military tribunals, the Paycheck Fairness Act, reproductive rights and civil rights, among other issues.

Prior to her return, she founded and directed her own firm, Laura Murphy & Associates, L.L.C., where she utilized her 30 years of policy-making and political expertise to advise corporate and non-profit clients at the national, state and local levels. She has been awarded for her work with Congress and the White House by the ACLU affiliates in Massachusetts, Mississippi and Maryland. In previous positions she served as chief of staff to a California Assembly Speaker, a cabinet member for the Mayor of the District of Columbia, an account executive for a public affairs firm, and a legislative assistant for two members of Congress.